An insight into the potential antioxidant, anticancer and antimicrobial activities of Geitlerinema sp. C-phycocyanin extracts

C-phycocyanin derived from cyanobacteria has recently attracted significant research attention due to its diverse bioactive compounds. The current research investigated the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of lyophilized extracts from Geitlerinema sp., which exhibited partial purity (A₆₂₀/A₂₈₀ = 2.78) in vitro. Additionally, we explored the anticancer effects of the C-phycocyanin extract of analytical grade (A₆₂₀/A₂₈₀ = 4.12) which is purified through ion exchange chromatography.

We found an IC₅₀ value of 0.57 ± 0.01 mg/mL for C-phycocyanin, close to that of ascorbic acid (0.49 ± 0.08 mg/mL), suggesting its potential to be used as a specific antioxidant source. MTT assays on lung (A549, CCD-19Lu) and pancreas (Panc-1, hTERT-HPNE) cell lines provided IC₅₀ values which is lower for CCD-19Lu cells when compared to A529 cells and which is higher in Panc-1 cells when compared to hTERT-HPNE. As a result, the tested compound exhibited a favourable safety profile, with enhanced effectiveness at lower concentrations and significant anticancer activities against pancreatic cells after 72 h. Moreover, the compound was found to be effective antimicrobial action against both Gram-negative/Gram-positive bacteria and yeast. The results emphasize the promising bioactivity of C-phycocyanin in antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer research.